Here’s how Gov. Abbott can safely reopen the Texas economy

A return to normal must be shaped by science.

The economy can’t afford to continue to limp along indefinitely. At some point, businesses have to open again and workers must have income-producing jobs.

However, a return to normal, whatever that might entail in this crisis, must not be premature, and it must be shaped by science. The medical advice to shelter in place has begun to reduce rates of infection across the nation. Unless a departure from that strategy is based on medical data, lifting shelter-in-place restrictions risks reversing gains made in slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

On Monday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced support for a $50 million loan plan through the federal Payment Protection Plan in conjunction with Goldman Sachs and LiftFund, a nonprofit organization that helps finance new small business and startup companies.

The loan program is intended to give a financial lifeline to small businesses in this time of turmoil so that business owners and workers will have something to return to when the time is right. This is an admirable and necessary step, but we’d suggest that Abbott consider following it up with three specific steps on how we move back toward normality.

We’d start with more details about testing in Texas. It is critical that Texans know what we are up against, and that requires more extensive testing than is currently underway. The paucity of testing for the novel coronavirus or for antibody protection, which some patients who contracted the virus and recovered might have, is a major wild card that makes reopening an uncomfortable gamble.

How many people have recovered and are no risk to themselves and others? Will a mass return to work provide fresh targets for the virus’s spread? On what basis will recommendations be made to allow some businesses to reopen while others will remain shuttered? Only extensive testing, and a transparent reopening process, can begin to provide these answers.

Without sufficient science backing a reopening decision, efforts to get workers back on the job may be both dangerous and counterproductive. Even if the risk of infection is lower than it had been, public confidence is as important as medical safety. Many Texans will continue to shelter until they have greater confidence that they can work and shop safely. Who could blame them?

A second step would involve laying out the steps that will lead to the economy being opened back up. To do that, the governor will likely find it helpful to create a statewide economic recovery task force. He seems to be doing that with a “comprehensive team” that he’s created to advise him. We think that’s a good idea, and we’d call for it to be transparent in its membership, deliberations and recommendations. Such an advisory group should include business and medical officials.

Once medical experts agree, officials could work toward allowing people back to work. That might involve helping certain industries obtain protective gear for workers. Or it might involve using testing. For example, those who have recovered from the virus or who don’t have underlying health conditions might face different risks. In any case, what should drive these decisions is deliberate consideration of what our systems can handle. Data and medical advice must shape decisions.

And finally, the governor should provide clear guidance to Texans in guarding against a “second wave.” Abbott knows that lifting sheltering restrictions must be done with great care, but many residents may not realize the risk involved. One risk is that Texans come to believe the virus is no longer a risk and thereby stop abiding by social distancing. Medical experts already expect a second wave of the virus in the fall. Our concern is that opening up too quickly or without the right plan in place might unleash a second wave earlier than that. In any case, the economy can’t wait until the fall or winter to begin the transition toward a more normal workplace, and a second wave (whenever it might come) would be a massive blow to the health care system and to the economy. So we need to get this right.

Statistics show that progress is being made at slowing the spread of the virus. Still, we all must continue to practice social distancing, including wearing masks in public, and not forget what is keeping us safer now. As some return to work, our safety will depend on following best practices that inspire public confidence. In the end, if we continue to slow the spread of the virus, we can all have confidence that we are taking the necessary precautions.

Dallas Morning News Editorial. Dallas Morning News editorials are written by the paper's Editorial Board and serve as the voice and view of the paper. The board considers a broad range of topics and is overseen by the Editor of Editorials.